(For another raw vegan treat, check out my recipe for raw nectarine dream cookies!)

Oooooo! These are so good!

Orange pistachio bars 1Orange pistachio bars 3

I just love the combination of orange and pistachio together! These bars are so soft and citrusy, they remind me a bit of lemon Larabars, and yet they’re totally different from any Larabar I’ve ever had.

Here’s what you’ll need for these little emerald gems:

  • 3/4 cup raw cashews
  • 3/4 cup raw pistachios
  • 1/2 cup chopped dried apricots
  • 1 tsp. agave nectar
  • 1 tsp. coconut oil
  • 1 tsp. chia seeds
  • zest and juice of a small orange such as a clementine or satsuma
  • desiccated coconut for dusting

Start by pulverizing the nuts in a food processor…

Pistachios and cashews in processor

Pulverized pistachios

Then add the chopped apricots…

Adding chopped apricots

Then grate over the orange zest and add the remaining ingredients…

Grate over orange zestAll ingredients in processor

Blitz it til it pulls away from the sides and looks fully incorporated…

Orange pistachio bar mixture

So green!

Now you need to mold it into bars. I lined a loaf pan with wax paper to help pull the bars out with later and then poured some desiccated coconut in the bottom so they wouldn’t stick to that.

Desiccated coconut in pan

It took a while to press it all out flat in the pan, just keep working at it until you get it to reach the edges.

My loaf pan was just a bit too big so these didn’t quite make it all the way to one side. After spreading it out I topped it off with more coconut.

Press bars into coconut

These should get popped in the freezer for a while to make them easier to cut. I chose to cut mine into little squares.

Cut orange pistachio bars

They are delicious! The bright orange flavor really stands out and contrasts with the earthy and slightly bitter green pistachio flavor. They taste so springy and fresh!

Orange pistachio bars 2

I’ve been keeping them in the fridge since they have orange juice in them that could go bad if left out. It also helps them to hold together better being that they’re very soft at room temperature. They are even more refreshing nice and cool right out of the fridge anyway.

Orange pistachio bars 4

Raw vegan orange pistachio bars

Bright citrusy orange zest accents these nutty raw pistachio bars.

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Yield: about 10 squares

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup cashews
  • 3/4 cup raw pistachios
  • 1/2 cup chopped dried apricots
  • 1 tsp. agave nectar
  • 1 tsp. coconut oil
  • 1 tbsp. chia seeds
  • zest and juice of a small orange such as a clementine or satsuma

Cooking Directions

  1. Pulverize nuts in food processor until very small.
  2. Add all other ingredients and pulse to incorporate.
  3. Press mixture into a wax paper lined baking dish with desiccated coconut.
  4. Sprinkle more desiccated coconut on top and press in lightly.
  5. Freeze until firm then turn out and cut into squares or bars.
  6. Keep refrigerated.

What is your favorite snack bar/granola bar/protein bar?